Strengthening Transit Through Community PartnershipsAfter the devastation of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria on the nation’s southern coasts,the Midwest Economic Policy Institute saw a need to educate the Midwest about how climate change could damage the region. According to the Institute, the Great Lakes have experienced less ice coverage, leaving lake shores susceptible to flooding and erosion. Rising temperatures reduce the life of asphalt, add stress to bridges and highways, and cause pavements and railways to buckle. Flooding weakens structural supports for bridges. All of this will increase maintenance costs, and also affect homeowners and residents directly. Yet, data from CNT's Prevalance and Cost of Urban Flooding indicates that 67 percent of 27 ZIP codes in Cook County with the highest flood concentration damage earn below the average median household income for the county.
